This is a guest blog from SOS Ambassador Zac Mills, The Wildlife Collective.
As a wildlife photographer, I’ve been fortunate to spend time in the rainforests of Sumatra, observing these incredible great apes in their natural habitat. Their slow, deliberate movements through the trees, their intelligent eyes, and—most notably—their unwavering dedication to their young make them some of the most fascinating and heartwarming animals to witness.
Sumatran orangutan mothers are among the most patient and devoted in the animal world. Unlike many mammals, orangutans have an incredibly long period of maternal care—lasting up to eight or even nine years. During this time, a mother teaches her offspring everything they need to know: how to find the best fruit, how to navigate the towering canopy, and even how to build the perfect sleeping nest each night.
One of my most memorable encounters was with Pescak, a mother I first photographed in 2013. I watched as she carefully guided her tiny baby through the branches, pausing often to let the little one explore while always keeping a watchful eye. The way she gently reassured her baby with soft touches and subtle vocalizations was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Orangutan mothers are also fiercely protective. Unlike their Bornean relatives, Sumatran orangutans face a higher risk from predators like clouded leopards, Sumatran tigers, and even large pythons. To survive these threats, they have evolved a largely arboreal lifestyle, rarely descending to the forest floor. Instead, mothers teach their young to be skilled climbers, ensuring they stay high in the trees where they are safest. I’ve seen young orangutans cling tightly to their mothers as they swing through the canopy, instinctively knowing that their survival depends on staying close.
Because orangutan mothers spend years raising a single offspring, losing one too soon is often fatal—when a mother is killed, her baby is left helpless. Orphans, lacking essential survival skills, rarely make it in the wild. The pace and pattern of forest loss in Sumatra is leading to fragmented forests, trapping orangutans in shrinking islands that are too small to sustain them. Some mothers, in their search for food, stray into fields and plantations, where they risk being captured or killed. Their babies, if taken, often end up in the illegal pet trade. No rescue can replace a mother’s care. To secure orangutan survival for future generations, we must protect, connect, and rewild their forest habitat.
Watching orangutan mothers over the years has given me a profound appreciation for their extraordinary dedication. They are patient teachers, guiding their young through the complexities of life in the rainforest, from finding food to navigating the treetops. Their protection is unwavering—always alert to danger, always ready to shield their offspring from harm. And their love, though quiet, is undeniable, expressed in gentle touches, reassuring vocalizations, and the constant presence of a mother who will carry and nurture her baby for years. Their devotion is a testament to the deep, unbreakable bond of motherhood in the wild.
This March, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, I find myself thinking not just of human mothers but of these incredible primates. Their love is a powerful force—one worth protecting, just as they protect their young.
– Zac Mills
SOS Ambassador
This Mother’s Day, celebrate your mum and support incredible orangutan mothers in the wild, too. You can donate the cost of cards and postage to the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) with our range of e-cards.
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